L'ottavo Ristorante

Not a bad little Italian place not far from Union Square on Sutter St. Close to theaters so a good choice if you're going to a show ... but ... service can be slow, very slow so make reservations & go earlier than you think you need to (that way you'll enjoy a nice meal without being rushed/under pressure to leave in order to make the opening curtain). Had the bruschetta with mushroom &gorgonzola from the special sheet. Pretty good if a bit bland for my taste. It was gorgonzola on it but it was the mildest I've ever experienced. For my palate, I would prefer more bite. I ordered fusilli all'amatriciana. Got rotini. It was in between al dente & over done. The sauce was not what I expected but was okay. My wife had pene all'arabiata. She enjoyed her's more than I mine. They like tomato here & use it in everything. My caesar salad was a nice salad; I just wouldn't call it a ceasar when it includes tomatoes & olives; not sure it had a caesar dressing either. My wife's minestroni soup was also different -- good but different (potatoes in it was a first). The greeting is warm. Their web site is dead/suspended. Not sure what that means or portends for the place. The tiramisu was good as was the coffee to finish off the meal. Pros: location Cons: service more

I live in SF and have become so tired of paying 80-100 bucks for mediocre meals. What a little find! This isn't fancy and it will not wow you with something new or unique. What you will get is consistently fresh pasta/sauces/veal/seafood at decent prices in a relaxed, yet intimate room. We usually ask for something different on the menu (adding chicken or mixing sauces) based on a waiters recommendation and have always had a good meal. Decent chianti too... Pros: food, service, good value more

I was traveling through SF and visited this place based on other CitySearch reviews...which were mostly good. The food was very good but the service was terrible. I don't understand what the problem was with our server...he would disappear for long periods of time between courses while we just sat and stared at the wall for a very long time. From the other reviews I assume the service is hit or miss. Sometimes you get a good server and enjoy the experience while other times you get a bad server and end up like us...frustrated and angry. I have never been so frustrated waiting for service at any place in my life. When I return to SF I will avoid this place as there are many better selections from which to choose. Pros: atmosphere, food, location Cons: , service, service more

Having spent an extensive amount of time eating my way through Italy, I can honestly say that this is the MOST authentic Italian restaurant in SF. The food is delicious, rustic and lovingly prepared. The pastas aren't drowned in sauce, the meat and seafood dishes are hearty and flavorful and the salads are divine. The wine selection is a very good mix of Italian and Californian. Great food, wonderful ambience and service (and it won't make a HUGE dent in the funds)! I highly recommend this place! Pros: Delicious Food, Great Ambience, Good prices more

This is SF's best kept Italian food secret! Forget crowded touristy North Beach, this is my favorite restaurant in SF. Try the Insalata di Spinachi. It's amazing! Both very romantic, but also great for a night out with friends. I have done everything from bachelorette party dinners to romantic dinners. The service is phenomenal. Pros: Food, Price, ambiance more

This is my favorite place to dine in the city. I've taken many dates here and they have all loved it... too bad they never feel that way for me. Pros: Best Atmophere, Soooo Romantic, Good food Cons: Parking more

I live nearby and I consider myself a 'regular'. The place has a cozy, casually elegant atmosphere, people are always friendly. And I love those raviolis.... Pros: casual dress, pasta, decoration Cons: no parking, no lunch, no groups more

excelent pasta's great friendly service and a verry good atmosphere we will be back Pros: good music, the best cannelloni more

Whole experience was such a disappointment. We wanted to try this place - it looked so romantic and the menu seemed to be good and reasonable priced, but we're very dissatisfied with mediocre food and rude service. My pasta was blend sitting in a pool of liquid, my friends got an undercooked chicken and so dry and tough pork loin. Our server was rude, totaly ingoring us and even the hostess seemed to be a bit distracted. So it was not a good value after all! Would discourage anyone from trying. Pros: nice atmosfere Cons: unpalatable food, inattentive service, average & ordinary more